Blog: Nixon Had Many Accomplishments

If we where to ask the average person on the street their recollection of Richard Nixon, likely as not one word would dominate the conversation, Watergate. Watergate became synonymous with Nixon.  Watergate became synonymous with personal bankruptcy.  

The person you might speak to likely would not recall that it was Nixon who ended one of the most difficult wars our country found itself mired in - Vietnam. The person you might speak to likely would not recall that it was Nixon who opened China.  The person you might speak to likely would not recall that it was Nixon who saw the culmination of our flight to the Moon.  The person you might speak to likely to would not recall that it was Nixon who saw the first large scale integration of public education.

I suggest that a balanced overview of Nixon would present any number of other favorable accomplishments. However Watergate looms over all accomplishments and colors them all.  

Where we able to look at a snap shot of our country before and after Mr. Nixon’s presidency, the biggest change that might be seen is the inherent distrust of political organizations. What was the motto of the 50’s?  We like Ike?  With JFK, we had Camelot.  Today Congress is universally held in almost total contempt.  

According to one poll 83 percent of our fellow citizens disapprove of the job Congress is doing.  Is the general mood... what, dismay, chagrin, or simply disgust given the crumbs that fall to us?  If you will witness Jack Abramoff  and the good olde boys and girls from K Street, or  The average person seemingly is locked out.  

We need to see people willingly stepping into the sunlight and out of the shadows.  Had Richard Nixon willingly stood in the sunlight following the bungled efforts of the White House plumbers, then he would be recalled for his numerous positive contributions.

When an individual is confronted with a criminal activity, the individual has a choice to make.  The person can make the call and contact the police. Or they can attempt to go under cover to hide. The individual’s thinking maybe that they do not want to rat - to inform a friend, associate or co-worker.  

Today Jerry Sandusky is confronting a forty count criminal indictment.  No one is suggesting the JoePa, Joe Paterno, was directly involved.  Yet his name has been removed from the Big Ten championship trophy.  The stain of inaction is spreading almost like a all consuming cancer.  Is it conceivable that the statue honoring him will be removed campus or his name removed from various buildings?

It is likely that Joe Paterno will join Richard Nixon the scrap heap of history.  A lesson that is clearly and repeatedly learned that society will not tolerate an enabler.  Someone who closes their eyes, who looks the other way.  Someone who does not pick up the phone and make the call.  Will you make the call or will you enable and allow a situation to continue?